❀ Permissibility of Marriage and Celebrations in the First Ten Days of Muharram ❀
Source: Fatawa Shaykh al-Hadith Mubarakpuri, Volume 1, Page 157
Is it permissible, from a Shariah perspective, to hold marriage ceremonies, celebrations, or fast on the 10th of Muharram?
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd!
Holding marriage ceremonies or any joyful gatherings during the first ten days or throughout the month of Muharram — without any intention of imitating the practices of the Khawarij or the Nawasib — is undoubtedly permissible and allowed.
There is no evidence in the Qur'an, in any authentic or weak Hadith, nor from any Companion or Imam that prohibits marriage or celebrations in these days.
Similarly, fasting as a form of mourning on the 10th of Muharram is also not established in the Shari'ah.
Fasting on the 10th, or on the 9th and 10th, or the 10th and 11th of Muharram is established through authentic narrations and carries promise of reward and merit.
Several articles have been published in "Al-Muhaddith" regarding the customs of Aakhir-e-Chaharshamba and Muharram al-Haram, which may be consulted for more details.
① Those who harbored enmity and hatred towards ʿAlī (RA) invented the innovation of celebrating and expressing joy on the day of ʿĀshūrāʼ (10th Muharram).
② They even fabricated Hadiths in praise of celebrating this day.
③ They promoted acts such as applying kohl, bathing, expanding provisions for the family, and preparing luxurious meals as commendable on this day.
The commonly known narration reads:
"من وسع أهله يوم عاشوراء، وسع الله عليه سائرسنته"
◈ Ibn al-Jawzi in Al-ʿIlal al-Mutanāhiyah (2/62-63, 909/910) and Al-Mawḍūʿāt al-Kubrā (2/203) stated:
"This narration is not preserved and is not proven from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ."
◈ Ibn ʿIraq in Tanzīh al-Sharīʿah (2/152-157) wrote:
"Ibn Ḥajar said: It is extremely rejected (munkar)... Al-Daraqutni reported it in 'Al-Afrād' and declared it munkar."
◈ Ibn Taymiyyah in Aḥādīth al-Qussāṣ wrote:
"Harb al-Karmānī said: I asked Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal about this Hadith? He replied: It has no basis."
He further said:
"Its origin comes from the statement of Ibrāhīm ibn Muḥammad ibn al-Muntashir from his father, who said: 'It has reached us,' without specifying the source."
◈ Albānī in Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ (1/603) stated:
"It is a weak Hadith from all its chains... and not proven by experience."
◈ Mubārakpūrī in Mirʿāt al-Mafātīḥ (6/36) said:
"The relied upon opinion, according to me, is what Imām Bayhaqī concluded — that it has multiple weak chains which, when combined, give it strength. And Allah knows best."
From the above references, it becomes clear that this Hadith is subject to strong scholarly disagreement, and it lacks a solid foundation.
◈ Those who claim love for ʿAlī (RA) introduced the innovations of mourning, including lamentations, matam (self-beating), wailing, recitation of elegies, fasting as grief, processions, and more.
◈ Numerous fabricated Hadiths were invented in support of these practices, misleading the general public.
Neither should we follow the practices of those who bear enmity toward ʿAlī (RA), nor should we emulate the rituals of the self-proclaimed lovers of ʿAlī (RA).
Even celebrating on ʿĀshūrāʼ with the intention of opposing the Shia is not permissible.
However, if there is no such intention, then marriage or celebrations during Muharram — including its first ten days — are undoubtedly permissible.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatawa Shaykh al-Hadith Mubarakpuri, Volume 1, Page 157❖ Question
Is it permissible, from a Shariah perspective, to hold marriage ceremonies, celebrations, or fast on the 10th of Muharram?
❖ Answer
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd!
✔ Marriage or Celebrations During Muharram
Holding marriage ceremonies or any joyful gatherings during the first ten days or throughout the month of Muharram — without any intention of imitating the practices of the Khawarij or the Nawasib — is undoubtedly permissible and allowed.
There is no evidence in the Qur'an, in any authentic or weak Hadith, nor from any Companion or Imam that prohibits marriage or celebrations in these days.
Similarly, fasting as a form of mourning on the 10th of Muharram is also not established in the Shari'ah.
✔ Fasting on the 10th of Muharram
Fasting on the 10th, or on the 9th and 10th, or the 10th and 11th of Muharram is established through authentic narrations and carries promise of reward and merit.
❖ Further Research
Several articles have been published in "Al-Muhaddith" regarding the customs of Aakhir-e-Chaharshamba and Muharram al-Haram, which may be consulted for more details.
✿ Two Innovations Arising from the Martyrdom of Ḥusayn (RA)
❖ Innovation by the Enemies of ʿAlī (RA)
① Those who harbored enmity and hatred towards ʿAlī (RA) invented the innovation of celebrating and expressing joy on the day of ʿĀshūrāʼ (10th Muharram).
② They even fabricated Hadiths in praise of celebrating this day.
③ They promoted acts such as applying kohl, bathing, expanding provisions for the family, and preparing luxurious meals as commendable on this day.
✦ The Reality of the Hadith About Expanding Provisions
The commonly known narration reads:
"من وسع أهله يوم عاشوراء، وسع الله عليه سائرسنته"
Opinions of the Scholars:
◈ Ibn al-Jawzi in Al-ʿIlal al-Mutanāhiyah (2/62-63, 909/910) and Al-Mawḍūʿāt al-Kubrā (2/203) stated:
"This narration is not preserved and is not proven from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ."
◈ Ibn ʿIraq in Tanzīh al-Sharīʿah (2/152-157) wrote:
"Ibn Ḥajar said: It is extremely rejected (munkar)... Al-Daraqutni reported it in 'Al-Afrād' and declared it munkar."
◈ Ibn Taymiyyah in Aḥādīth al-Qussāṣ wrote:
"Harb al-Karmānī said: I asked Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal about this Hadith? He replied: It has no basis."
He further said:
"Its origin comes from the statement of Ibrāhīm ibn Muḥammad ibn al-Muntashir from his father, who said: 'It has reached us,' without specifying the source."
◈ Albānī in Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ (1/603) stated:
"It is a weak Hadith from all its chains... and not proven by experience."
◈ Mubārakpūrī in Mirʿāt al-Mafātīḥ (6/36) said:
"The relied upon opinion, according to me, is what Imām Bayhaqī concluded — that it has multiple weak chains which, when combined, give it strength. And Allah knows best."
From the above references, it becomes clear that this Hadith is subject to strong scholarly disagreement, and it lacks a solid foundation.❖ Innovation by the Followers of ʿAlī (RA)
◈ Those who claim love for ʿAlī (RA) introduced the innovations of mourning, including lamentations, matam (self-beating), wailing, recitation of elegies, fasting as grief, processions, and more.
◈ Numerous fabricated Hadiths were invented in support of these practices, misleading the general public.
The Correct Approach
Neither should we follow the practices of those who bear enmity toward ʿAlī (RA), nor should we emulate the rituals of the self-proclaimed lovers of ʿAlī (RA).
Even celebrating on ʿĀshūrāʼ with the intention of opposing the Shia is not permissible.
However, if there is no such intention, then marriage or celebrations during Muharram — including its first ten days — are undoubtedly permissible.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
